Hollanders Like Us

December 06, 1985|The Morning Call

To the Editor:

After reading Roberta Sandler's piece, (Dec. 1) I felt compelled to comment on some of her statements. I agree with some of what she wrote regarding foreign travel; however, my personal experience differs from her views on Europe, culture and especially its citizens. To be specific, I'm thinking about Holland.

The people of the Netherlands are terrific. While there, I was treated with much kindness. The country was spotless in general, there was very little graffiti to be seen, and many problems common elsewhere werenot in evidence. The people there were extremely interested in what an American had to say. I was invited to visit their homes in many cases, and taken by automobile to various areas of interest. This they did without asking for payment. When I offered to pay for gasoline, I was refused.

Why should these people favor me? Part of the answer is buried in Margraten. They haven't forgotten that Americans died for their freedom. The Hollanders say they'll never forget. I strongly suggest that Roberta Sandler visit Holland prior to chucking the Continent.